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Self-serving Dictators

Author

Listed:
  • Asheim, Geir B.

    (Dept. of Economics, University of Oslo)

  • Helland, Leif

    (BI Norwegian School of Managment)

  • Hovi, Jon

    (Department of Political Science)

  • Hoyland, Bjorn

    (Department of Political Science)

Abstract

We provide experimental evidence of self-serving fairness ideals in a dictator game design that includes treatments where funds can be transferred in two ways to the one player and in one way to the other. Two methods for transferring funds to the recipient produce the same results as the regular dictator game. However, two methods for transferring funds to the dictator reduce her generosity significantly. Hence, the fairness ideal adopted by dictators appears to be equal share per individual in the former case (as in the regular dictator game), and equal share per transfer method in the latter case.

Suggested Citation

  • Asheim, Geir B. & Helland, Leif & Hovi, Jon & Hoyland, Bjorn, 2008. "Self-serving Dictators," Memorandum 26/2008, Oslo University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:osloec:2008_026
    as

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    File URL: https://www.sv.uio.no/econ/english/research/unpublished-works/working-papers/pdf-files/2008/Memo-26-2008.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Emin Karagözoglu & Arno Riedl, 2010. "Information, Uncertainty, and Subjective Entitlements in Bargaining," CESifo Working Paper Series 3133, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Self-serving Bias; Experimental Economics; Dictator Game;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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